Hate That I Love You.
______________________________________________________________________
I want to thanked the people who faved or added this story to their story alert, you guys rock. ;-)
But the people I really want to thanks are Ainat, rory21, mcena99 &GraffitiArtist INC.
______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 2: The Kiss.
At six am, Ashley's alarm sounded, accompanied by sleepy moans from Melina and Ashley promptly shut off the sound. Ashley dressed in sweats as they were comfortable to travel and packed her case.
An hour later a tired looking Dirty Diva was waiting her companions at the hotel lobby.
Feeling it was still too early to eat; Ashley skipped breakfast knowing she could eat on the plane.
Minutes later, her two best friends arrived, the woman's champion looking way to hyper for such an unearthly hour; whereas Ashley's male best friend looked as tired as she was.
"How are you today?" said the brunette to the other diva.
"I could be better" said the blonde beauty rubbing her eyes trying to get used to Mickie's perkiness. They have been friends for a while but Ashley still couldn't understand how that much energy could come from someone so small. "And how are you Jeffro?" asked the blonde woman to the almost asleep man next to her.
"Good, thanks" said the man with a husky voice that showed how tired he was. "And if you girls don't mind I would like to get to the airport as soon as we can so I can get some sleep in the plane"
"Yep! Come on" said jumping up and down the hyperactive brunette girl.
Soon they were all on Jeff's car with the only sound of music blaring from the speakers, and sometimes Mickie's voice singing along to some of the songs. Within fifteen minutes they had arrived at the airport.
When they got their plane tickets Mickie asked her bestie what seat has she got.
"21 C" answered the dirty blonde hoping the brunette was sitting next to her.
"Oh," said Mickie looking rather sad "I'm on the 18 B; I wanted to be with you, A"
"Don´t worry M, I´m sure you are sitting with someone nice" said Ashley trying to cheer up the girl.
"You are," said Jeff putting his arm around Mickie's shoulder "because you are sitting next to me" smiled the high flying superstar.
"Really?" asked the youngest woman "Then I'm happy" smiled the talented diva.
"But guys" pouted Ashley "then who am I sitting with?" she asked.
"Hey guys" said a new voice adding to the conversation. Mickie smiled, she knew that voice anywhere.
"Hi Randy" she squealed. Ashley giggled at her best friend's odd behaviour.
"Hi girls" said John coming next to his best friend. Jeff cleared his throat. "And guy" laughed the Champ.
"That's better" said Jeff. He looked at John and was confused when he saw the blue eyed man shifting uncomfortable next to the Playboy Cover girl.
"Ash," John started "I kinda want to talk to you"
"And want do you have to say?" said angrily the blonde girl "Are you going to insult me again or something like that?" she said crossing her arms.
"No," he cleared his throat "I want to apologize for everything I've done to you"
"Ha" she scoffed "And you think that I'm going to forgive you that easily?"
"Well, maybe" he smiled sheepishly.
"Well," she started softly "I'm not!" She finished angrier than before.
Then the five people found themselves in an uncomfortable silence.
"Humm, so guys who are you sitting with?" asked Mickie trying to ease the tension that anyone could feel between them.
"Well, I am sitting next to Candice" answered the Legend Killer flashing the brunette diva a smile that made her knees weak.
"Oh next to…Candice" said Mickie bitterly, she had no problem with the Go Daddy girl but everyone knew Candice was a very easy girl in more way than one.
"Yeah, why Miss James are you jealous?" smirked Randy Orton.
"Me? Jealous? Pshh, nooo…" said Mickie blushing.
"And you John who are you sitting with?" asked the younger Hardy coming to his friend's rescue.
"I'm not sure…" shrugged the other guy "I'm on seat number 21 B"
"No way.." said Ashley not believing her ears.
"It's something wrong Ashley" asked a concerned John Cena. Since last night Jeff has told him that he and later Randy had a serious conversation with him, he was determinate on giving the Cover girl a chance.
Ashley still was in shock, she was going to be with the bain of her existence the whole flight? Mickie took Ashley´s plane ticket and gave it to John so he would know why Ashley was acting like that. John saw the number of the diva´s seat and smiled a little.
"Well, Ashley it looks like we are stuck together" he chuckled.
Ashley glared at him before taking back her ticket.
The other four superstars started a conversation while a million thoughts ran through her head, why was John suddenly acting nice with her? How was she going to survive to the flight next to John? And unfortunately for her neither of them had an answer.
Soon their flight was called and they all had to step in the plane.
Mickie and Randy were laughing when they got to Randy´s seat. Mickie then saw Candice on her seat with a very big cleavage that make her wonder why would Randy go after someone like her when he could have girls like Candice Michelle.
"Hey Randy…" flirted Candice bating her eyelashes "Here is your seat" she said signalling the seat next to hers.
"So Mickie" said Randy "See you when we land"
"Yes, sure" she said watching the superstar take his seat next to Candice while she was giggling uncontrollably about something he said. Mickie sighed and walked to her seat next to Jeff.
"Hey Mickie, are you okay?" asked the rainbow haired superstar.
"Yes, I'm fine" replied quickly the diva while she put the earphones oh her Ipod on.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X
Ashley sighed taking her seat next to the window waiting for her companion to come, she had promised herself she'd survive the flight with John Cena. Three hours with John Cena, she could handle that. Right?
"Hi" said John sitting next to her. She nodded making him know she know he was there.
John was grinning broadly, and she couldn´t help but ask herself: Jesus, it's only a three hour flight, what's he so excited about?
As soon as the plane took off Ashley jammed headphones into her ears and opened her book, listening to nothing but wanting an excuse not to talk.
"How can you read and listen to music?" Cena asked, pulling the headphone from Ashley's ear.
"Easy, like this," she replied, shoving the small speaker back.
The headphone came away again, "But you haven't even got any music on, I never heard any."
"Well maybe I just don't want to talk to you."
"Well you're going to have to get use to it; we'll be seeing a lot of each other from now on."
Don't remind me, thought Ashley.
"What do you want to do John? Play eye spy with me?" said the blonde girl somewhat bitterly.
"Man, what's your problem? Is it that time of the month or something?" chuckled John.
"You! You are my problem" she shouted not noticing she had brought the attention of some of the people on the plane to them.
The waitress with the drinks trolley broke the tension.
"Would you like any refreshments?"
What I want is a seat on a plane, going a hundred miles in the opposite direction, thought Ashley but of course didn't said it.
"Yeah, can I get a soda please?" asked John.
"There you go, sir. Miss, anything for you?" the air hostess asked the diva.
"Yeah, can I get a bottle of water please?" said Ashley closing her book on her lap.
The waitress handed her the bottle of water and Ashley thanked her.
She took a sip of her water and opened her book again. For about ten minutes, Ashley stared at the same page in her book, not reading a word.
Cena sat bopping his head to what ever he was listening too.
Noticing that Ashely was no longer reading, he took out the headphones and smiled at her.
"What?" she asked annoyed.
"Nothing," he replied smiling innocently.
"No, tell me. What are you stupidly grinning at? You've been like this ever since you sat down."
"Nothing, I'm just enjoying sitting next to you," he smirked while she scoffed.
Ashley turned her head to look out the window and felt a tap on her shoulder as she did. The contact she felt caused shivers to run down her spine and made her shiver, like electricity. She couldn't quite explain it.
"Yes?" she asked glaring at John.
"I though you were going to play eye spy with me?" he said smiling.
Agh, was he serious? But Ashley played along nevertheless, she wasn't in the mood for a fight.
"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with SOJ." Ashley said after a minute of thinking.
"Sexy old John?" he asked.
Ashley had to hide a giggle. ."No, stupid obnoxious jerk," she said and turned away.
Nothing was said between the two for about half an hour and the Playboy Cover girl began to doze off.
Awakening from her nap, she saw Cena looking at her.
"You can't sleep, it's my go. I spy with my little eye, something beginning with MB." Said John.
She thinked for a minute and said ""Manky banana"indicating to the small child in front's snack.
"Wrong, guess again."
"I don't care, so you can just tell me." She said.
"Moody bitch," Cena answered.
The Dirty Diva felt her stomach tighten with rage, and she had to refrain her self from putting her hands around his throat and chocking him.
"Your turn."
"Are you really so stupid as to think I want to play some childish guessing game with you?" she asked John.
"Yup."
"Well, I don't want to, so get lost."
"You love it really."
"Does it look as though I'm enjoying this?" she asked really annoyed. The guy was really getting on her nerves.
"You wouldn't still be responding if you weren't."
Ashley had to admit, he'd got her there. Why was she still falling for his lame attempt to wind her up?
At a loss for a witty retort, Ash turned away again but was once more pulled back by his touch.
"Ok, we'll play something different. But as you chose eye spy, it's my turn to pick."
Ashley failed to respond, so he continued. "Let's play truth or dare."
"What are we, twelve? Not even Mickey play that! And Mickie is the childest person I know" she said.
"I'll take that as a yes. Alright Ash, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Why do you hate me so much?"
Ashley took a minute to answer, "Why do you taunt me so much?"
"No, you haven't answered my question. Thems the rules."
"I don't hate you, I just can't stand being around you," she replied truthfully
Cena looked taken aback, as though no woman alive would be unable to resist his charm.
"You go then," he said sheepishly.
"Why do you taunt me so much?" the dirty blonde diva asked again.
"I don't know ? I dunno, I guess it's just so easy."
Ash let out a hollow laugh but indicated for him to go on.
"Truth or dare?"
Not wanting to answer any more personal questions, she replied with "dare."
"Kiss me." He simply said.
"What?" Ashley asked astonished.
"You heard."
"No."
"But it's the rules. You agreed to play, so you gotta do the dare."
"No."
"Chicken."
"I'm not chicken." She said stubbornly.
"Prove it." He said.
Not knowing what had overtaken her, Ashley closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss him. A jolt ran through her body as their lips brushed. She was about to pull away but felt a hand cupping her head and holding it in place. The kiss deepened and the diva swooned, feeling like 200 volts had just run through her.
They broke apart and the blonde diva remained with her eyes closed, letting out a deep breath.
What the hell had just happened? I've just snogged John Cena, a man I despised. Why did I do it and why was it so nice?
Ashley then turned to the window not wanting to look John to his eyes.
He made no move to talk to her or gain her attention again and they remained silent for the rest of the flight.
Not soon enough for her, the plane landed. Within seconds of being informed that they could take their belts off, Ashley was on her feet and walking down the aisle, not once looking back at Cena.
When she got out of the plane, she waited for Jeff and Mickie to get out too.
She the saw the duo stepping out of the plane and she ran to them.
"Hey Punkie , you got off the plane quickly. Are you alright?" asked Jeff, taking one look at his best friend's face and knowing something was very wrong.
"Yeah A, you look a little pale" said Mickie eyeing her friend suspiciously.
"I'm fine," she lied.
"We saw you arguing with Cena on the plane. What happened?" asked the brunette girl while the man nodded.
"Nothing."
Mickie and Jeff knew it was better to not ask anything more and they didn't push it any further.
The three friends linked arms while Mickie ranted about the latest gossip she had read in a magazine about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, or it was what Ashley thought she heard before her mind went to other thoughts.
When they arrived at the hotel the three of them said their goodbyes and went to their rooms. When Ashley arrived at her room she put her suitcase down, and laid in her bed. Her roommate this time, like always, was Melina. And she wasn't arriving until the next day.
Why did I fall for Cena's taunts and kiss him? More importantly, why did I enjoy it so much? How the hell will I be able to work with him now?
That was what she was asking herself while she ate a sandwich that she had ordered to the room service.
After finishing her sandwich, Ashley decided to forget the whole thing and go back to hating him.
A call Jeff reminded her that they had to be at the arena in an hour and a half. Ashley showered and changed, then packed her wrestling attire that consisted on a blue short t-shirt and a short jeans skirt with her black combat boots.
She arrived in the lobby to find Jeff and John waiting for her.
This retched day just keeps getting better.
"Hi again Punkie, you feeling any better?" asked Jeff putting his arm around Ashley.
"Yes, thanks Jeffro" said Ashley putting her arm around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder as they walked.
Neither she nor Cena looked at each other, and she could feel the tension in the air. It was like the feeling before a storm and electricity crackled between the pair.
Saying nothing more, the trio got into a cab and headed for the arena.
Ashley hurried to the woman's locker room and thankfully no one was there., she guessed all the people would be arriving later and she was glad for the peace.
She changed in record speed, resenting everything about her appearance.
She got to the ring and saw Jeff, John and Stephanie McMahon waiting for her.
She took the empty seat next to Jeff, looking at no one.
"Ok, first I want you to start warming up" said Stephanie.
The three wrestlers climbed into the ring and, after some stretches, took it in turns to grapple and do basic moves on each other. Ash and Jeff worked perfectly with each other, as always. John and Jeff worked well, showing their professionalism. The whole session was awkward for John and Ashley and they were both trying so hard to not touch each other.
"What's going on? The pair of you look scared to death. You do realise that in four days you'll be working constantly with each other, pretending to be a couple," said Stephanie.
Both of them stuttered a "sorry" and went to it again, but nothing had changed and the hold was still unnatural.
"Ok, stop. You two obviously have some problem with each other and I heard about your fight on the plane. It's too late to change Sunday's match now, so I want you two to go and sort what ever this is out," said Steph, her voice stern.
Ashley and John climbed out of the ring looking forlorn, and made their way backstage.
Neither spoke for a few minutes until Cena said, "Well?"
"Well what? What the hell did you kiss me for?"
"You kissed me first," he shrugged.
"Bull shit! You made that stupid dare and wouldn't let it drop," screamed Ashley "You were the one that when I tried to pull away, held me there and stuck your tongue down my throat."
"You enjoyed it!" came the reply, Cena's voice now as loud as Ashley´s.
Alerted by all the noise, Jeff came to see what was going on, as Cena walked back to the ring.
"You kissed? You two kissed? When? Where? Punkie, were you ever going to tell me? I thought you hated him." Jeff said suprised.
"I do," was all the Dirty Diva said before storming off.
After 10 minutes Ash calmed down a little and she returned to the ring. Cena and Jeff were going through the finish to Sunday's match with Steph watching. All were acting as if nothing had happened.
"Right, now that you're back Ash, get into the ring and go through your part for Sunday," said Triple H´s wife.
Ashley nodded and got into the ring. Jeff had just hit his finisher, the Swanton Bomb and was about to go for the pin
Ashley grabbed the title belt and smacked Jeff around the head with it, Cena then lifted his opponent up into the 'F U'. He hit his mark and the three count was called. Knowing that things didn't end there, Ash ran over to Cena and raised his hand, faking a look of jubilation. The newly united couple hugged briefly before breaking apart to look at Steph.
"Are you ok? I didn't hit you too hard, did I?" Ash asked her best friend.
"Nah, I'm fine. You ok?"
The Punk Princess nodded.
Steph looked at the three wretlers and she didn´t seem pleased. "Well, the wrestling was sound. However, there's no emotion. This woman has just turned on her best friend and joined his opponent. Because of her, Cena, you've retained the title. Jeff, you were fine, I don't think there's anything you need to improve on. Ashley, you've just betrayed your best friend, and you're meant to be celebrating with the Champion, enjoying the glory."
The trio stayed silent and Stephanie continued.
"I want to see some action. Since we lost Edge and Lita, there's hasn't been a really hot pair of heels. Come on guys, think of when Trish betrayed Jericho and joined Christian at Wrestlemainia."
Still nobody Spike.
"Cena, Ashley has just won you the title. Don't just briefly hug the woman, she's meant to mean everything to you, you're meant to think she's the hottest diva ever. Massaro, you're meant to seem like you really want Cena; you've turned on your boyfriend to be with this better man. No offense Jeff." Said Steph looking at the high flying superstar "I want to see some heat, some chemistry. Come on, if things don't improve I'm going to have to re-book the whole thing, and you know what that means. Let's try it again."
Ash, was half-tempted to mess up again on purpose; if Stephanie thought she and Cena had no chemistry, he'd scrap the match and she could forget the whole thing. However, she knew what this push would mean to her best friend and she wanted the best for her friend.
They ran through the finish to the match again. But this time when Ashley raised Cena's hand, he grabbed her around the waist and arched her back low, so her hair swept the canvas. Then leaning down, his blue eyes meeting hers for the first time all night, he kissed her. It was just like when they'd kissed on the plane, passionate and full of heat.Ashley felt the now familiar and pleasurable crackle of electricity between them. As the kiss deepened and Cena still held onto her waist, Ashley swooned.
It was like nothing else she'd felt before and for the minutes they were joined nothing else existed. No ring, no Jeff or Stepahanie, just them.
They broke apart and Ashley and John saw Jeff and Stephanie staring at them with open mouths.
"Excellent. Do that on Sunday and you'll have the whole arena buzzing," said the older woman.
Ashley stared at the floor, finding the canvas the most interesting thing she'd ever seen.
"Well, we're done here guys. I'll see you tonight for the match."
Ashley ran to the locker room before anyone could stop her, wishing so hard that Mackie was here. The only person there was Candice and she and the other divas were not really friends, she was hoping someone else could come that moment. As if answering her prayers, Mickie and Melina entered the room chatting with each other.
"Can I talk to you, Micks?" said the blonde taking Mickie from the previous conversation she was having.
"Sure" said the petite brunette while Ashley was grabbing her arm and walked with her outside the locker room.
Ashley began to speak.
"Me and John Cena just kissed." Said Ashley embarrassed looking at the floor.
Her best friend giggled before she spoke "Well, I guess it is kind of expected with your match on Sunday." said the brunette as she rolled her eyes.
"But it wasn't the first time. He kissed me today on the plane." Confessed the blonde diva.
"What?!?" shouted the Woman's Champion "I thought you hated him! And Jonny kept that quiet. I never knew he liked you." Laughed the diva.
"He doesn't." said Ashley stubbornly.
"Then why did he kiss you?" teased Mickie to her best friend knowing it would piss her off.
"I...I..dunno. He was trying to wind me up I guess." Ashley said uncertainly.
"Well that's a funny way to wind someone up." Replied Mickie rolling her eyes for what seemed the millionth time that day.
"God, he just annoys me so much. Ever time I'm around him, I want to scream and punch him." Said Ash angrily.
"Yeah whatever you say" said the champion not believing a word her friend have said. "But what are you going to do, from now on you'll have to kiss a lot and all that"
"I know, I guess I will have to pretend he is Orlando Bloom or Chad Michael Murray" laughed Ashley and was soon joined by her friend.
That night's match was like a living hell. Ashley was now managing Cena, testing out the crowd's reaction. He was in a one-on-one match against his best friend Randy.
When the match ended and they were going back to the locker room John stopped Ashley.
"Can we talk later? Meet me in the bar?"
"Yeah, alright," was all the Punk Princess said.
Thanks for everyone who is reading this story. Do you think this chapter was very long? Review and tell me what you think, should I make the chapters this long or should I make them shorter? :-)
Maria.!